38377k5 said:
I'm using synthetic fluid but I have my doubts about whether my system is bled right. It likes to shoot fluid out of the vent in the cap (which keeps the reservoir pretty low) and the steering isn't as strong as I think it should be.
Maybe Copasetic will enlighten us all
you need to do the majority of the work with the truck not running. if you try and bleed it running the pump will take any air in the system and just turn it to foam and you will never get it all out.
This is how to do it with a completely empty system, the method is the same for one that already has fluid but constantly has bubbles. this way will also alert you to leaks before they become a big mess.
jack the truck up so the tires are off the ground. unlock your steering. with the reservoir full and the truck not running turn your tires slowly all the way to one side. the level in the reservoir should have dropped significantly. fill it back up and slowly turn the tires all the way to the other side. you will see a lot of bubbles forming in the reservoir. this is the air coming out of the side of the ram that is closing.
you will need to cycle the steering back and forth lock to lock a few times while adding fluid, you want to work slowly to keep the bubbles down. synthetic foams a lot less the regular steering fluid. its worth the extra money.
once you can turn the tires lock to lock and no more bubbles come out of the system its time to run the truck. leave the truck jacked up. start the truck and let it run for a minute. is anything leaking? if not turn the wheel all the way to one side. you may get a lot of foam but if you were patient you shouldn't see much. If its foaming like crazy you rushed the first part. go drink a beer because its gonna take awhile for the foam to settle.
if its not foaming slowly turn the wheel to the other side. Foam? the level in your reservoir will be lower when your ram is fully extended, this is normal and is because the closed side of the ram has less volume due to the fact that the piston takes up some volume in the ram. This is why you need an extended reservoir.
This is a much easier process with 2 people. one in the engine bay and one behind the wheel. that way one of you can turn the wheel while the other adds fluid. Remember, the object is to get the air out. if the fluid is foaming you need to walk away and let it settle. if you keep messing with it you can ruin the pump and trap air in the system.
Thats a little overkill. you just need a short piece of hose not a foot. But as long as it does not leak it should work fine.
did mine the hard way and then the easy way. the hard way is what you would think would be the easy way.
